The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-11-12
"A SICK SISTER"
BY AN Ex-RRBEL.

 in camp, just previous to Early's movement and temporary victory by passing along the base of Massinutton mountain, at Strassburg, Va., 1 was sent into the Federal lines by General Early to pick up such information as could be had. The armies were so close together that there was no neu- tral ground between them for one to operate on, and the task of penetrat- ing the lines seemed to me the most perilous one 1 had yet undertaken. After casting around for a day, and holding interviews with some resi- dents Of the vicinity who had come into the Confederate lines for safety, decided on plan.
 On the pike leading out of town and running along the right flank and rear of the Federal army, or at least a part of it, was Confederate war widow who could be depended on. A part of her house was then occupied by Federal officers, and it was certain to be depot for infor- nation. From a woman ill Strass- burg 1 borrowed q pretty complete outfit of wearing apparel, had my long hair trimmed as many of the southern women wore theirs during the war, and at dark one night moved along the right flank of thu Federal army until two miles below the point l designed to make. Then l put myself in female rig, arranged all extra bundle, and struck the Mid dletown pike in the rear of the Sixth corps. It wasn't five minutes before l was challenged and an officer called to investigate, and this is the story 1 told:
 "My name is Mayworth, my hus- band was killed at Bull Run. I live in the log house on the cross road con- ing in about mile from here, where you people burned the big red barns. My sister, Mrs. Akrow, lives in the double log house just as you raise the hill mile and half ahead. am sick and worn out, and am going up to stay with her till this is over"
 Scarcely question was asked me- I was challenged twice more, but got off just as easy. Having come in behind a portion of the army in blue no one could well suspect me, and as a mat ter of fact the women of that neigh borhood were shifting about a good deal, and there was no military reason why they should be stopped. reached Mrs. Akrow's without mis- take. knew that the fronts of both houses were occupied by officers, and when approached it was by the rear. I had to pass half dozen orderlies to get into the house, and though some of them wanted to jest with me, no one interfered with my movements. 1 found the woman just as she had been described, intelligent, patriotic and very observing. She had been doing cooking and laundry work for some of the officers, and had kept her eyes and ears open. On two occasions she had been through the Sixth corps, and she knew the lay of the ground clear down to the base of the mountain and the force of cavalry holding it.
 had passed for female very well at night, but I could not run too many chances by daylight. I there- fore went to bed to play sick. was entirely beardless then, but we put poultice on my cheek for neuralgia, tied cloth over the greater share of my face, and as lay in bed with my woman's night-dress on the makeup was complete. Indeed, an army sur geon came in and prescribed for me, and two vivandiers visited me on two different occasions without the impo- sition being detected. I was in the house eight days and nights, and be- tween what 1 heard and what Mrs. Akrow saw and picked up reported to General Early on my return to his headquarters the number of Federal cavalry holding the advance position within 250, the number of field pieces within three, the exact number of earthworks and length of breastworks, and the amount of artillery in the Sixth corps lacking three or four guns.-Detron Free Press